With perfect racing conditions, excellent fields, free admission and the sounds of singer Luke Dickens and his band ringing out across the paceway, the stage was set for what was to be one of the best harness racing meetings seen at Young for many years.
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There was certainly a buzz around the ground with the anticipation of some competitive racing and prizemoney in excess of $120,000 attracting some of the most exciting pacers in NSW.
Junee trainer Bruce Harpley, who is a great supporter of the Young club, took out the 2015 Cordina Chicken Farms $40,800 Young Cup with the outstanding five-year-old mare Frith ($2.80).
Overcoming an outside second line draw, the winner now of 31 races from 42 starts added another $24,000 to her already $829,572 in prizemoney, amassed over a short racing career, and in doing so stamped herself, without doubt, as one of the best mares in Australia at this time.
Given time to settle after the start, driver Bruce Harpley took the mare to the lead in the early stages and was then able to set a solid pace throughout recording two final quarters of 28.6 and 28.4 and a mile rate for the 2480 metre journey of 1:59.4 and a winning margin of two metres.
Cobbity trainer John McCarthy certainly gave the leader no peace, taking Blazin N Cullen ($2.40) up to sit outside the leader ensuring the pressure was on from the outset.
Bathurst trainer, driver Steve Turnbull gave Heza Thrill ($6.00) a beautiful run throughout and split the pair at the finish.
Betting in the race reflected the expected outcome with all other runners starting at double figure odds.
On receiving the trophy, Bernie Kelly thanked Daniel Cordina and also acknowledge the way in which the Young club conducted their meetings, congratulating Brian Ingram and his committee on their efforts.
Racing opened with trainer David Kennedy handing the driving duties over to Amanda Turnbull ensuring that his promising three-year-old gelding Sporty Spook ($1.20) would give his backers no cause for concern.
The gelding took out the event in convincing style from the Gunning-trained Hezbuyingdiamonds ($24.10) who led the field at the bell and last week’s Goulburn winner Lettucemacru ($6.40) who took the minor prize for Brad Hewitt.
Amanda Turnbull continued her good form in race two when she drove another copybook race on polemarker Denises Legacy ($1.50).
Turnbull lead throughout the race to defeat another recent Goulburn winner in Flyin Cruza ($9.60) with the resuming Rodandthe Nights ($4.40) finishing third after looking a threat mid race after sitting in the perfect spot throughout.
Favourite backers were no doubt in a good mood coming into race three, sending out Holme Three a $2.30 favourite but had to settle for second place when Corey Bell drove a well-judged race to secure a win for Narrandera trainer Shaun Snudden with Riseandriseagain ($4.60).
Driver Corey Bell was able to take the Robin Hood gelding to the lead soon after the start and dictated terms with two final quarters of 29.1 and 29.2 respectively and an impressive 1:57.6 mile rate while Amanda Turnbull on Cruisinonthebig Urn ($4.10) was unfortunatelt relegated to third after sitting outside the leader for the most part of the 1720 metre event.
Junee trainer Bruce Harpley made the right move in securing Chris Geary to take the drive on pole marker Sokys Bigbullet ($2.10) in race four, again a gelding by Robin Hood.
Driven the perfect race, leading and setting a solid pace throughout, Sokys Bigbullet had enough in reserve to defeat second favourite Mighty Gift ($2.20) and the outsider Itsallaboutex ($21.80) with a mile rate of 2:00.1 reflecting the run of the race.
Eugowra owner Lex Crosby combined with Bathurst trainer Bernie Hewitt in the Young Hotel Young Oaks, sending out Read About Lexy a second favourite ($2.40) and collecting the cash in an outstanding display of stamina after being taken to the lead before the bell and in doing so posting a 1:59.1 winning mile rate.
A winner now of eight good races from only nineteen starts, the speedy daughter of Sportwriter was very impressive in her win defeating Missed By Red ($6.10) and outsider Official Secret ($83.20) for Trevor White.
Dean Cernovskis produced Harlequin Bromac ($2.10) to record an all the way win in race seven. Following two good wins at Canberra and Wagga and a close second at Goulburn last week, the daughter of Mach Three showed good gate speed to lead and hold out Annies Desire ($23.70) and second favourite Abbey Cullen ($2.20).
The Canberra-owned pacer now has recorded seven wins from only 14 starts and the future looks bright for the four-year-old mare.
The combination of Bernie Kelly, his wife Dianne and son in law Bruce Harpley struck again in race eight when Stenning showed some class with an impressive 1:58.0 mile rate in defeating Lexus On The Beach ($5.70) and Provincial ($18.50) driven by Brad Hewitt.
The lightly-raced son of Jeremes Jet has now recorded five wins from only 14 starts and in the words of his trainer after the presentation, there are many more wins to come.
The winning streak of Junee trainer Trevor White continued in race nine when Discoswtdat ($5.30) went straight to the lead and stole the final race of the night with a polished display of front running driving.
A horse that was bought as a riding pony prove unsuitable after throwing the rider and the decision was made to work the horse up and sort out its problems.
That decision proved profitable and the rest they say is history.
Placegetters Lincoln Park ($19.90) and Casino By Pass ($11.50) in a leasurly mile rate of 2:06.5 and a winning margin of a head.
Another great Carnival Of Cup presentation for the highly respected Young Harness Racing club who race next on Wednesday night, April 22.
